Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-12-28

Hsw ~ Uaitsd statss Wsa aal Let q
IIland Grsap.
The King OF Denmark con.
ssntsd on the 9th Of October. 1857, to
. SOLEMN treaty for the sale Of his West
Indian Islands 10 the United States.
Ratification was made BY stipulation TO
be contingent on tho fav0rablAyo vote Of
the West Indian subjects.
The 9th OF January was appointed for
casting the vote The inhabitants re-
call it now ~ the brightest holiday the
quaint town has over witnessed. Re-
ioicings with guns and ringing bells,
accompanied the ceremony, which was
furthermore cheered and enlighted by
professions and serenades. Star
spangled banners fosted from every
roof and tower, while in the decora-
tions American blue was substituted
for Danish scarlet. The stars and
stripes waved over the cross Of Dem
mark, and Hail Columbia" became by
repetition, echoed from the surround
ing hills, rs familiar ~ "King Chris
tian," the Danish national hymn.
The ballot cast was declared unani-
nous in favor Of annexation to the
United States, there being but twenty.
two votes cast against il in st. Thomas,
and not one dissenting voice at st.
John.
Other independent states have
adopted the American republican sys-
tenn, and by so doing have Justly
claimed special right to sympathy
and protection. The first case on
record. however. in which aprosperous,
peaceful, loyal, and c~ontented commu-
nifty has freely, and without the pros
pect OF special commercial gain, voted
sway its natural allegiance and adopted
. totally different rule, is that Of the
Danish West Indians voting themselves
American citizens by joyous acclama-
ton. The record Of another national
conquest. so proud and peaceful, does
not exist in all history, and tits incom-
prohensible that no response should
ever have been made to it by the nation
10 whom this matchless tribute Of con.
fdence and admiration was so gra-
tuitously paid.
Denmark was now irrevocably com.
mitted to the transaction. and could
show no rcason for Withholding the
last acts of contamination.
When the news of the vote reached
Copenhagen the Rigsdsg ratified the
treaty without debate, and the king, on
january 81. 1868. Is promptly signed
Meantime the fierce political storm
was raging ut Washington, and no no.
tice was taken of the treaty, recon
mended to the consideration of the
Senate by Q Presidential message
weeks before. The instrument itself
lay buried in . drawer of Mr.. Summers
table, in the Foreign Relations Com
mitteo-rOOm.
1t is nov known that in March, 1870,
the Committee on Foreign Relations,
Senator Sumner at its head, indorsed
the one word Adversely" on the St
Thomas treaty, and recommended
Suspension Of action" in regard to it.
The matter was never brought before
the Senate, and may be said to have
been "smothered" in committee.
1t has been asserted that the friendly
relations between the United States
and Denmark were impaired from this
moment. How far this is true cannot
be known without rare penetration into
the silent dignity with which the sturdy
Danish people have borne the bitter
ness OF unavenged wrong, and the calm
reserve which has characterized all in
%tercourse between that small but in
domitable state with America since the
course of the United States in this
transaction was fully known and com-
pretended .-Oliuev Risley Seward, IN
CcriLoa p1'Q NnDnSi>,o